Take that walk a step further and make it part of the lift plan on paper. I sketch a simple site map now and mark where all the stored materials are, not just the path. That way the spotter and the operator are both looking at the same page, literally, and you catch things like a stack of block around the corner you might miss on foot. It turns a quick check into a solid game plan everyone follows.

That kind of personal service is great until the store owner's tastes start picking your books for you. You end up with a stack of stuff you'd never choose yourself, but feel bad saying no to because they went to the trouble. It turns a fun hobby into a weird social obligation.

The flakes are basically the hardtack of the wood finishing world. They'll outlive us all in a dusty tin. Your uncle is just building a time capsule for future antique radio people.

My old vise was the same way, it would rock a full inch side to side when I tried to straighten a thick bar. That constant fight just drains your energy. I keep a cheap chip brush and a little can of light oil by my post vise. After a session I brush out the threads and give them a quick wipe with an oily rag. It's not perfect but it keeps things moving.

Absolutely! I had the same thing happen with a couch last month.